Dothan AL vs Montgomery AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dothan, AL
Alabama · Population: 71,118
- Median HH Income$55,052
- Median Home Price$205,339
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Montgomery
4.8%
Montgomery +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 5.5% | Montgomery + |
| White | 56.6% | 27.7% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 4.8% | Montgomery + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Montgomery
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $32,068 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 20.9% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 54.3% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Montgomery
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Montgomery
1734
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Dothan +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 46.4% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | Dothan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.0% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Montgomery
52.8 in
Montgomery +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 52.8 in | Montgomery + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dothan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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